It's been one heck of a decade. I've had several new jobs, a few 'new' careers, all with the same outcome: disillusionment. I've owned a few new automobiles and enjoyed each and every one. I've read oodles of hateful and distasteful social media posts, but I've read and liked or shared many, many more that …
What does it mean to be human?
By Martha C. Nussbaum from The New York Times, The Big Ideas - Opinion Over time, the idea of “being human” has surely meant — and will continue to mean — many things. There is and has never been just one answer. But surely one thing it ought to involve today is the ability to …
Law & Order SVU: Still the best!
As a culture writer I’m supposed to turn you on to some cool Euro detective drama on Netflix. Sure, I’ve watched them, and I have to say, not only are they mostly humdrum or clever without being smart, they’re not as interesting as what’s happening on Law & Order: SVU every week. Storylines that are… via …
Gargoyle Woes
My garden gargoyle Agnes is showing some winter whimsy, with her snow-capped head and shoulders. I wonder if she's dreaming of the coming spring, warm sunshine, and daffodils - I know I am!
The Need for ‘Slow Thinking’
We live in opinionated times. Between a relentless news cycle and deep ideological divides, we feel pressure to take positions quickly, often on stories that are still developing, or on topics we know little about. If we don’t come to a quick conclusion and choose a side, it can feel like we’re letting the proverbial… via …
Fields of Memories
Stop, look, appreciate life along the road.
Reviving Magic
Where has the magic gone from childhood? Must adulthood negation the mind's flights of fancy? Does being a 'grown up' have to shut the mind's door to wandering through those shadowy nooks and crannies of childhood memories? Crevices where dragons lurked, waiting for the child in me to summon them out into the sunshine to …
Memories of Dad, one year on.
It's so hard to believe that my dad's been gone a year today. Time has elapsed since that fateful day, but this fleeting time has not been easy, there's so much left undone and much relating to that day still needs a resolution. I have scattered around me many photos, many memories, but I'd rather …
Culture Wars & Appropriation
I understand the power imbalance of different groups, I get it, but I also support and encourage creativity, imagination and the power of storytelling. These traits belong to all humans, and I am of the opinion that we have evolved as a species through the borrowing, bartering and yes, the bastardization of cultural and social …
Confessions of an Outlier
I don't want to be a member of the 'in crowd'. I'm an outlier. I'm a small and big 'C' conservative, ['m an outlier. I live in the country - and love it: I'm an outlier. I dislike urbanity in all it's grey concrete and forced natural settings. I'm an outlier. I like winter, the …
The Northern Herper 
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